Celtic Soccer Crew: What the Hell Do We Care?

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I'm a bit more detached from it in terms of knowing the players and their families so it was a complete blank canvas. When I first went in, I said to the management team: ‘I would rather you didn't tell me what you think of player A, B or C'. I didn't want to have any preconceptions of them in my head.” You have to be like a robot, basically. You have to eat, sleep and breathe football. I just was not one of those characters. It was not in my make up to be that robot. Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “I would like to thank John sincerely for all he has given to the Club over such a long period. He has been a tremendous friend and support to me personally but above all he is a man who put the Club ahead of anything else. But before jumping to conclusions about his character, consider how he has spent his days since - helping vulnerable children.

At the age of 17, he moved to Scotland himself, first of all carrying out agricultural contracts and then building a successful business as a contractor laying cables and pipes for major utility companies. It’s difficult to comprehend now, but without John Keane’s actions it may well be that Celtic would look altogether different today. John Keane added: ”It has been an honour and privilege to be part of Celtic, a Club I have loved so dearly all my life. I would like to thank Dermot Desmond, Ian Bankier and Peter Lawwell and all other directors, past and present, who have worked together and so tirelessly in the best interests of the Club. Even now, people say to me, 'Why are you doing this?' Well, why shouldn't I do this? It seems to give me more satisfaction."But while Eric Cantona once told him not to be like everyone else, that was not the message that O'Kane received from others in the game. O'Kane has been diagnosed as autistic [5] and has worked in the care sector. He has a book out called "Bursting The Bubble-Autism and Me" - Publisher: Empire Publications Ltd ISBN 9781909360860. Most of the coaching is done during the week so I was able to do that and the games didn't clash so I've been there for nearly all the trainings and 90 per cent of the games. It has worked out ok.” He began his professional career at Manchester United in 1990 and played 7 competitive games for the club before signing for Everton in January 1998. His last appearance for United was on 27 November 1996 when he played against Leicester City in the League Cup A man always with the best interests of Celtic at heart, across more than two decades, he has provided invaluable support and counsel to the Club. As Celtic supporters, we all owe John an enormous debt of gratitude for everything he has done for the Club, in protecting our continuity, in preserving our history and ultimately in bringing Celtic to where it stands today.

That approach has worked as Ramor have been able to cope with the loss of two of their best scoring forwards - Sean McEvoy and James Brady – and progress to the latter stages of this year's championship. By: Newsroom Staff on 05 Jul, 2019 17:33 FERGUS McCann has paid his own tribute to John Keane, who has retired as Director and Honorary Chairman of Celtic Football and Athletic Club, praising his unwavering commitment to Celtic. Fergus said: “I just saw the news of John Keane’s retirement as Honorary Chairman of The Celtic Football and Athletic Company. The Club owes – and I owe – John Keane a great debt. He was a major and steadfast partner in the rescue and rebuilding of Celtic. “His commitment never wavered, from long before and during its darkest hour and later, when the hard decisions and hard work had to be done. Unlike some others who promised support then fell away, John was always there. “He avoided the limelight, never claimed credit, and continued to financially support the growth of the Club without seeking personal profit. His special interest was the development of young players – and that has served Celtic well with years of onfield success. “Like Brother Walfrid, he came from County Sligo in the ‘Oppressed West’ of Ireland. And he left his mark in a different way. Like every true supporter he understood what Celtic means and its importance to so many people – and was there when it counted.” Reigning county champions Ramor are one of four clubs – Castlerahan, Killinkere and Lavey are the others – within a five-mile radius of his home. He looks forward to the event with a little trepidation: “I love the club. I have supported it and nothing will change me from that. This is a great honour. I hope I don’t trip and that they don’t boo me too much!” I told him I was still planning on playing for Glenullin and I wasn't sure how it would work. He said: ‘Look, we've a good team of football men around us but maybe a different eye coming in from the outside mightn't do us any harm'.

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It was another thing that I had to deal with on the pitch, an involuntary movement, a habit. I had these mad thoughts in my head all the time. It was not just the football, it was the brain." While that appearance against Aston Villa went well, making an impact off the bench, a Champions League start against Rotor Volgograd proved more challenging.

All in all, not a bad read and the descriptions of some of Celtic's leaner years during the terrible 9 in a row run by gers are really interesting. The guy has had a tumultuous life and done some dodgy things with his crew but still seems a really genuine supporter. It has been an honour and privilege to be part of Celtic, a Club I have loved so dearly all my life. I would like to thank Dermot Desmond, Ian Bankier and Peter Lawwell and all other directors, past and present, who have worked together and so tirelessly in the best interests of the Club. While the Celtic board was trying to cling on to power as the club slipped from their grasp under a mountain of debt and orchestrated fan boycotts, the board made a play that became one of the most embarrassing and cringe worthy episodes in the history of Celtic. The second half begun without incident. Pat Bonner made a string of superb saves to keep Hibernian’s Paul Kane at bay, but proceedings were about to be adjourned in the 62 nd minute. A loud boom rang out and gas swept along the East terrace of Easter Road. Suddenly, people started spilling on to the pitch to take refuge and eyes began to burn and stream throughout the ground. The Celtic Soccer Crew had fired a CS gas cannister, which they later claimed was a smoke bomb, into the Hibs support housed closest to the away end. A cloud of panic hung over the stadium as supporters were treated on the field and 46 fans were taken to hospital. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries and the worst of the casualties was a 77-year old man, who had broken his ribs in the chaos that followed the explosion of the cannister. It is a running joke with my mates," laughs O'Kane. "'Gary Neville would not have done that, would he?' I get it every other day."

From his first days in Scotland, he became a regular at Celtic Park, developing a deep affinity with the club.